Mangalore, Mar 14: A total of 564 graduates passing out from Father Muller Charitable Institutions received their Bachelors and Masters degrees at the Institutions' Day cum Graduation Ceremony of 2013 held inside the FMCI campus here on Wednesday.
Delivering the graduation address at the 52nd convocation ceremony, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University Dr H S Ballal said that India was a young nation as about 65 percent of the country's population is below the age of 35. But, unfortunately the access for higher education among them is abysmally low and poor.
“The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for higher education in our country today is between 13.5 to 14 percent, which is very low compared to the global average of 23 percent. Our administrators should see to it that the GER shoots up to 30 percent by the year 2030,” he said, adding that the amount allocated for education today was merely 3.7 percent of the GDP.
He said that the dream of attaining 30 percent GER in the country could not be achieved singlehandedly. “The government alone cannot cater to the aspirations of the younger generation who want to get into higher education. Only if private educational institutions participate in the process, will the dream be fulfilled. If we want our country to become a developed nation, it is important that we educate the younger generation, especially the rural masses. Over 70 per cent of the population resides in rural areas, and it is essential we educate them. Education of girls is also essential,” he said.
He further advised the graduating professional to be pro-active, so that the country could progress. “Keep updating yourself with recent developments in your specialised field of work. Inculcate and develop the habit of learning to live together and to transform the society,” he said, stressing that there was no alternative route to success apart from hard work.
Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district N Prakash spoke on the occasion. Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza delivered the presidential address.
FMCI Director Fr Patrick Rodrigues made the welcome address and read out the annual report. FMMC Administrator Fr Denis D'Sa proposed a vote of thanks.
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